Redefining and analysis of hydrogen from a fuel to a highly refined energy storage and transfer medium

Hydrocarbon fuels can be defined as ancient sunlight. They have been produced by solar powered organic processes over millions of years. The earth should be recognized as a finite size fuel tank. Although there is not a precise level indicator, these nonrenewable fuels are rapidly being depleted. They are also increasing the levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere and possibly causing an undesirable warming of the earth by the "greenhouse effect". The search for a solution has resulted in visions of hydrogen as the fuel of the future to power transportation and to generate electricity with water as the only combustion product. While such a future would be highly desirable it is fundamentally flawed. That is because hydrogen is not a fuel. To consider hydrogen a fuel is akin to considering electricity as a fuel. Fuels are extracted from the earth. Neither free electricity nor free hydrogen exist in nature. Each is a highly refined and thus relatively expensive medium for the transfer of energy. Hydrogen like electricity must be produced by energy and capital intensive processes.